영유아 가구 양육비용 및 육아서비스 이용 실태 조사: KICCE 소비실태조사 2025: 상권

Abstract

‘KICCE Spending Survey’ is a statistical survey of households with young children, focusing on their financial status and spending, as well as use of childcare services. It has been conducted annually from 2018 to 2025, during which a total of 8 annual waves worth of data has been compiled. The 『KICCE Spending Survey_2025』 represents the 3rd wave of Phase II of the ‘KICCE Spending Survey’, which is an on going research project that is scheduled to run continuously over a periodof 5 years until 2027. Reports fort he 2025 study were prepared separately into the ‘survey’ and ‘analysis’ parts to improve readability and completeness. As the present report belongs to the former part, it concerns mainly with survey and fieldwork-related matters. In addition to the main survey stably administered to the continuously- tracked sample of households with young children, ‘KICCE Spending Survey_2025’ also surveyed a booster sample of low-income households. Selection into the main survey sample is based on the age of a household’s youngest child. The main survey sample consists of panel samples that were tracked from previous-wave responses, the substitute sample, and the newborns sample. Booster samples are supplemental samples that are drawn up only at certain points in time for cross-sectional surveying. In 2025, we surveyed a booster sample of 150 low-income households with young children. 1. Overview of the KICCE Spending Survey_2024 -The ‘KICCE Spending Survey_2024’ consists of the main survey administered to a total of 1,822 households and a supplemental study of a booster sample of 160 households with young children residing in rural and agricultural areas. ∙Compared to the 2018 study, the main survey sample grew by 174 households. -The total number of young children who responded to the main survey of the 2024 study was 2,450.

2. Key Findings from the KICCE Spending Survey(2018~2023) Data 1) Childcare Costs -The per-child monthly average child-rearing costs (nominal terms) among households with young children in 2023 was 1,354,000 KRW, a sharp increase from 1,273,000 KRW in 2022. ∙During 2018~2022, the per-child average child-rearing costs (nominal terms) started at 659,000 KRW in the 1st wave (2018), decreasing to 610,000 KRW in the 3rd wave (2020), but then rose sharply to 807,000 KRW in the 6th wave (2023).

1. Overview of the KICCE Spending Survey_2025 -The main survey sample of ‘KICCE Spending Survey_2025’ consisted of a total of 1,821 households, including 1,364 panel households that were successfully contacted, 203 substitute sample households, and 254 households with newborns. ∙Compared to the 2018 study, the main survey sample grew by 182 households. -The total number of young children who responded to the main survey of the 2025 study was 2,434. Selection Criteria for the Booster Sample (low-income households with young children) ∙For selection into the booster sample of low-income households, we looked at households whose average monthly income from 2025 January~June fell short of 50% of the median income. Other factors were considered in a comprehensive manner to determine selection. ∙Selection into the booster sample (low-income households with young children) prioritized enrollment or receipt of policies including ① support for diapers/formula for low-income households by the MoHW (Ministry of Health and Welfare, ② the ‘Nutrition Plus’ program by the MoHW, ③ eligibility for ‘A’ type childcare support program provided by the MoGEF (Ministry of Gender Equality and Family), ④ the ‘Didim Seed Account’ program by the MoHW, ⑤ support programs for low-income childcare support provided by local governments, ⑥ support for educational fees provided by the MoE (Ministry of Education), ⑦ the Child Tax Credit from the NTS (National Tax Service).

2. Composition of the KICCE Spending Survey_2025 Questionnaire and Changes -Basic questions regarding household / parent / child characteristics, household spending practices, and household income were retained. -Most of the previous questions regarding rural households were removed, as were questions of decreased policy relevance and timeliness. Questions to identify low-income households for the booster sample, as well as questions regarding awareness and take-up of policies for low-income households were newly added. -To preserve continuity with previous waves, questions for children were retained as they were. Meanwhile, in consideration of parent-borne costs regarding the usage of childcare centers, the sub-items were simplified from 4 to 2 entries (costs other than childcare, special activities at childcare centers).